OBITUARY: James E. Woolard

James E. Woolard, age 85 of Harrisburg, passed away at his home at 1:31 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2015.

He was born in the North America Community on Sept. 16, 1929, to the late Len Woolard and Helen (Harper) Woolard.

He married the former Mary Jean Rice on June 29, 1961, in Monroe, Mich., and she survives.

Jim was an Army Veteran proudly serving his country in the Korean Conflict from March 1951 through March 1953. He was a retired coal miner and custodian for the Southeastern Illinois College.

Having accepted Jesus Christ as his savior, Jim was a Baptist by faith and member of the North America Baptist Church and attended the Bankston Fork Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jean Woolard of Harrisburg; sons, Keith (Nancy) Woolard of Harrisburg, Eric (Toni) Woolard of Harrisburg; and "PaPa Jim" leaves behind four grandchildren whom he dearly loved, Megan Woolard of Kissimmee, Fla., and Grayson, Avery and Caroline Woolard of Harrisburg.

Jim will also be missed by his nephew, Kenny (Cheryl) Cantrell of Harrisburg as well as several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Barbara Jean; and two brothers, Harold Woolard and Don Woolard.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2015, at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. The Rev. David Smith officiated and burial was in the Sunset Gardens cemetery in Harrisburg. Visitation was held 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.